TWI890077B - Opening-closing support device and office equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

This invention provides an opening-closing support device, which can ensure the space of the torque generating part and reduce the abrasion of the cam part caused by repeated opening and closing. The opening-closing support device includes: a mounting member, which is installed on the device body of an office equipment; a supporting member, which is pivotally supported on the mounting member through a main shaft to rotate; a lifting member, which is pivotally supported on the free end of the supporting member through a lifting shaft so as to be rotatable in the direction opposite to the rotation direction of the supporting member; a sliding part and a sliding-lifting part, which are accommodated and installed inside the supporting member to be slidable; an elastic member, which is elastically arranged between the sliding part and the sliding-lifting part; and a pressure bearing pin, which crimps against the cam part of the sliding part. The mounting member has a pair of side plates, and the pair of side plates are respectively provided with mounting holes at positions opposite to each other. Each of the mounting holes is configured with a bushing, and the pressure bearing pin is pivotally hanged between the pair of side plates through the bushing. The bushing is divided in the axial direction, and is configured with a shrinkable dividing part in the radial direction.

Description

Opening support devices and office machines

The present invention relates to an opening and closing support device and an office machine, and in particular to an opening and closing support device with a rotatable pressure-bearing pin and an office machine having the opening and closing support device.

Office machines such as copiers, scanners, and printers have traditionally used a shutter (document clamp) to press the document against the exposure glass, preventing external light from entering the exposure system within the device. To enable the shutter to open relative to the device, various shutter support structures are known.

Several types of opening and closing support devices use a pressure-bearing member (a pressure-bearing pin or a pressure-bearing roller) that abuts against the outside of the bottom of the cam slider to control the movement of the cam slider.

Japanese Patent Publication No. 2008-257167 (paragraph [0019]) states: "A document pressing plate opening and closing device 1 comprises: a mounting member 2 mounted on a machine body 11 side of a business machine 10 having a document pressing plate 12; a supporting member 3 pivotally supported on the mounting member 2 and rotatable about a first hinge pin 15; a lifting member 4 mounted on the document pressing plate 12 and overlapping with the supporting member 3, and pivotally supported at a free end of the supporting member 3 and rotatable about a second hinge pin 16; and an elastic device 5 provided between the lifting member 4 and the mounting member 2 to move the lifting member 4 toward the document pressing plate 12. 4 applies force in a direction overlapping with the support member 3, and simultaneously applies force to rotate the document pressing plate 12 in the opening direction. By rotating the document pressing plate 12, a closed state in which the document pressing plate 12 covers the machine body 11 and an open state in which the upper surface of the machine body 11 is exposed can be formed. The document pressing plate opening and closing device 1 of the first embodiment of the present invention further includes: an engaging device 6 that prevents the document pressing plate 12 from rotating within a specific opening angle range of the document pressing plate 12; and an engaging release device 9 that releases the engaging device 6 outside the specific opening angle range of the document pressing plate 12, allowing the document pressing plate 12 to rotate.

In the aforementioned publication, a non-rotating pressure-bearing pin fixed to the mounting base is used as a pressure-bearing member.

Because the pressure pin of the document clamping plate opening mechanism is fixed to the mounting base and does not rotate, repeated opening and closing can cause friction on the sliding cam. The heavier the ADF (Auto Document Feeder), the greater the contact pressure between the pressure pin and the sliding cam, further increasing the friction. This can lead to cam wear.

In addition, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2011-227370 (paragraph [0013]) states as follows: "A document pressing plate opening and closing device includes: a mounting member mounted on a machine body of an office machine; a supporting member pivotally supported on the mounting member via a first hinge shaft to be rotatable; a lifting member mounted on the document pressing plate and overlapping with the supporting member, and pivotally supported on a free end portion of the supporting member via a second hinge shaft to be rotatable in a direction opposite to the rotation direction of the supporting member; and an elastic device provided between the mounting member and the supporting member. The supporting member applies force to rotate the document pressing plate in the opening direction; and a connecting mechanism controls the rotation of the lifting member in conjunction with the opening and closing operation of the document pressing plate. The document pressing plate opening and closing device further includes: a first connecting arm, which allows one end of the connecting mechanism to be mounted on the side of the mounting member for rotation; a second connecting arm, one end of which is mounted on the side of the lifting member for rotation, and the other end of which is connected to the other end of the first connecting arm through a connecting device for mutual rotation; and a cam device that acts on the connecting device.

In the aforementioned publication, the mechanism used for the pressure-bearing member is as follows: a fixed pressure-bearing pin serves as the axis, and a resin or metal roller is added to rotate it.

While the aforementioned rotating roller mechanism reduces wear, the addition of the roller also reduces the space available for torque generation. In recent years, the space available for hinge installation in copiers has been shrinking, which goes against the practical need to ensure as much space as possible for torque generation.

To address these issues, the inventors, after repeated trials, devised a mechanism that allows the pressure pin to rotate without using a roller or changing its diameter. This eliminates the need for a roller and maintains the pressure pin's diameter, ensuring sufficient space for the torque-generating area. Furthermore, by allowing the pressure pin to rotate, wear on the cam caused by repeated opening and closing is reduced.

The purpose of this invention is to provide a door opening support device that can ensure space for the torque generating portion and reduce the wear of the cam portion caused by repeated opening.

The structure of the present invention is as follows.

The opening and closing support device of the present invention includes: a mounting member, which is mounted on the device body of the office machine; a supporting member, which is rotated on the mounting member through a main shaft bearing; a lifting member, which is mounted on an opening and closing body, the lifting member overlaps with the supporting member, and the lifting member is rotated in a direction opposite to the rotation direction of the supporting member on the free end of the supporting member through a lifting shaft bearing; a sliding member and a sliding lifting member, which are accommodated and installed inside the supporting member and can slide; an elastic member, which is elastically arranged between the sliding member and the sliding lifting member; and a pressure-bearing pin, which presses the cam portion of the sliding member. The mounting member comprises a pair of side plates with mounting holes formed at opposing positions. A bushing is mounted in each mounting hole. The pressure-bearing pin is mounted between the side plates via the bushing bracket. The bushing is axially split and radially provided with a retractable split portion.

The opening support device of the present invention preferably has the following structure: the sleeve comprises an annular portion, a cylindrical portion, and a connecting portion connecting the annular portion and the cylindrical portion; the dividing portion comprises a roughly triangular portion and a roughly rectangular portion in top view; the roughly triangular portion comprises a large-area dividing portion and a small-area dividing portion in top view; the roughly rectangular portion comprises only the small-area dividing portion in top view; the roughly triangular portion extends from the annular portion to the connecting portion, and the roughly rectangular portion extends from the connecting portion to the cylindrical portion.

The office machine of the present invention uses the door opening support device as described above.

The opening and closing support device of the present invention incorporates the aforementioned structure, i.e., a mechanism that rotates the pressure pin itself without using a roller or changing its diameter. This ensures space for the torque-generating section and reduces wear on the cam caused by repeated opening and closing. The bushing is axially divided and includes radially retractable sections, allowing the pressure pin to be pushed into the bushing for stable installation. This ensures smooth rotation of the pressure pin and reduces wear on the cam caused by repeated opening and closing.

The office machine of the present invention employs an opening support device including the above-mentioned structure. This opening support device includes a mechanism that rotates the pressure pin itself without using a roller or changing the diameter of the pressure pin. This ensures space for the torque-generating section and reduces wear on the cam caused by repeated opening.

1: Transaction Machine

10, 10A: Opening support device

11: Install components

11a: Bottom

11b: Side panels

11c, 11d, 11f, 11g: Mounting holes

11e: Back panel

11i: Internal threaded hole

12: Supporting components

12a: Top plate

12b: Side panels

12c: Bend

12d:convex part

12e: Friction protrusion

12f, 12g: Mounting holes

12h: Storage space

13: Lifting components

13a: Top plate

13b: Side panels

13c: Bend

13d: Hole

13e, 13f: Mounting holes

14: Sliding piece

14a: Back of face

14b: Both sides of the face

14c: Top of the head

14d, 14e: concave part

14f: Bottom

14x: Cam (top)

15: Sliding lifter

15a: Front

15b: Both sides of the face

15c: Top of the head

15d, 15e: concave part

15f: Bottom

16: Main axis

17: Pressure-bearing pin

17a: Disc-shaped head

17b: Cylindrical part

17c: concave part

17d: Front end

2: Device body

2a: Above

21: Spacer

22: Bearings

23:shaft collar

24: Stopper

24a: Plate-shaped portion

24b: Side panels

24c: Hole

24d, 24e, 24f: Incisions

25: Height adjustment screw

26: Small screws

27: Shock absorber

27a: Margin

27b: Piston

28: Liner

28a: Ring

28b: Cylindrical part

28c: Division

28d: Connection

28e: Chamfered corners

29: E Ring

29a: Plate-shaped portion

29b: Incision

3: Opening body (manuscript pressing plate)

3a: Lower side

31: Elastic components

32: Spring (large diameter)

33: Spring (small diameter)

4: Exposure glass

41: Lifting shaft

42: Pressurized components

5: Operation Department

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an office machine using the opening and closing support device of embodiment 1 of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the open-door support device of embodiment 1 of the present invention, and is also a three-dimensional diagram of the open-door support device in the open state.

Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the open-door support device of embodiment 1 of the present invention, and is also a perspective view of the open-door support device in the closed state.

Figure 4 is a three-dimensional exploded view of the opening support device of embodiment 1 of the present invention.

Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the mounting components of the opening support device of embodiment 1 of the present invention, (a) is a plan view; (b) is a right side view; and (c) is a front view.

Figure 6 is a right side view of the pressure-bearing pin of the opening support device of embodiment 1 of the present invention.

Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the liner of the open-door support device of embodiment 1 of the present invention, (a) is a perspective view; (b) is a front view; and (c) is a bottom view.

Figure 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of the opening support device of embodiment 1 of the present invention.

Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the door opening support device of embodiment 1 of the present invention, and is also a cross-sectional view when the hinge angle is 60°.

Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of the door opening support device of embodiment 1 of the present invention, and is also a cross-sectional view when the hinge angle is 0°.

(Implementation Type 1)

The following reference figures illustrate a preferred embodiment of the present invention, including a door support device and a business machine including the door support device.

In the following description, please refer appropriately to the rectangular coordinate system shown in Figure 1 regarding the front-back, left-right, and up-down directions.

Furthermore, the office machines in the present invention include, but are not limited to, machines such as copiers or multi-function office machines, printers, fax machines, scanners, etc.

In Figure 1, symbol 1 represents a copy machine, which is one example of an office machine.

The office machine 1 comprises a main unit 2, an exposure glass 4, an operating unit 5, and a door (document pressing plate) 3. The main unit 2 is roughly cubical in shape; the exposure glass 4 is located on the top surface 2a of the main unit 2; the operating unit 5 is located to the lower right of the top surface 2a; and the door (document pressing plate) 3 opens and closes relative to the top surface 2a of the main unit 2.

The door body (document pressing plate) 3 can be equipped with an automatic document feeder or a lightweight model without one. This embodiment uses the type equipped with an automatic document feeder. This type with an automatic document feeder is heavier on the left side of the front, so the left-side door support device 10 and the right-side door support device 10A typically have different structures. This embodiment will focus on the door support device mounted on the heavier left side, indicated by reference numeral 10, and will omit the description of the door support device indicated by reference numeral 10A.

The opening body 3 is connected to the device body 2 via opening support devices (hinge chains) 10, 10A, allowing it to rotate. The opening support devices 10, 10A allow the opening body 3 to be mounted on the device body 2 and open relative to the device body 2. In Figure 1, the opening body 3 is in an open position. The open position refers to a position in which the lower side 3a of the opening body 3 is separated from the upper side 2a of the device body 2; the closed position refers to a position in which the lower side 3a of the opening body 3 abuts the upper side 2a of the device body 2.

As shown in Figures 2-4, the opening support device 10 of embodiment 1 of the present invention includes a mounting member 11, a supporting member 12, and a lifting member 13. The supporting member 12 is mounted on the mounting member 11 via a main shaft 16 for free rotation; the lifting member 13 is mounted on the supporting member 12 via a lifting shaft 41.

As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the mounting member 11 includes a bottom portion 11a, a pair of side panels 11b, 11b, and a rear panel 11e. The pair of side panels 11b, 11b extend upward from the bottom portion 11a, and the rear panel 11e extends upward from the rear end of the bottom portion 11a.

The bottom portion 11a is provided with mounting holes 11c and 11d for screws to pass through for mounting to the device body 2. A slightly plate-shaped stopper 24 is attached to the rear plate 11e using small screws 26. The pair of side panels 11b and 11b are provided with mounting holes 11g and 11g, and the main shaft 16 is mounted in these mounting holes 11g and 11g via bearings 22 and shaft rings 23 and 23. The main shaft 16 is also mounted on the support member 12, and the mounting member 11 is supported by the main shaft 16, allowing the support member 12 to rotate. A pair of side panels 11b, 11b are provided with mounting holes 11f, 11f. Pressure-bearing pin 17 is mounted in mounting holes 11f, 11f via bushings 28, 28 and E-ring 29. Symbol 11i represents the internal threaded hole for mounting small screw 26.

As shown in Figure 4, the lifting member 13 comprises a top plate 13a, which is roughly rectangular in plan view; a pair of side plates 13b, 13b extending downward from the top plate 13a; and bent portions 13c, 13c, extending outward from the lower ends of the side plates 13b, 13b. The side plates 13b, 13b are provided with mounting holes 13e, 13e, and 13f, 13f, for mounting the lifting shaft 41 and the pressurizing member 42, respectively.

The top plate 13a is equipped with a height adjustment screw 25 to adjust the installation height of the opening body 3.

The bent portions 13c, 13c are provided with a plurality of holes 13d, which allow the lifting member 13 to be mounted on the opening body 3 via a plurality of screws.

As shown in Figure 4, the support member 12 includes a top plate portion 12a that is roughly rectangular in plan view, a pair of side plates 12b, 12b extending downward from the top plate portion 12a, and bent portions 12c, 12c that bend inward from the lower ends of the pair of side plates 12b, 12b.

The pair of side plates 12b, 12b of the support member 12 are provided with mounting holes 12f and are mounted on the pair of side plates 11b, 11b of the mounting member 11 via spindles 16. This allows the support member 12 to be supported by the mounting member 11 for rotation. The pair of side plates 12b, 12b are provided with protruding portions 12d on the sides adjacent to the side plate 13b to correct any looseness of the side plates 12b relative to the side plates 13b.

The free end of the support member 12 is provided with a mounting hole 12g for the lifting shaft 41 to pass through and be mounted on a pair of side plates 13b, 13b of the lifting member 13.

The support member 12 is formed into a roughly rectangular shape when viewed from above, and is generally cylindrical in shape, with a storage space 12h within the tube. The top plate portion 12a is provided with a friction projection 12e that protrudes into the storage space 12h.

As shown in Figure 4, within the storage space 12h of the support member 12, arranged in order from the rear are the slider 14, shock absorber 27, spacer 21, spring (large diameter) 32, spring (small diameter) 33, and sliding lift member 15. When these components are assembled, the spring (small diameter) 33 is inserted into the diameter of the spring (large diameter) 32, and the shock absorber 27 is inserted into the spring (small diameter) 33.

As shown in FIG4 , the slider 14 includes a rear portion 14a, two side portions 14b, 14b, a top portion 14c, a bottom portion 14f, and recessed portions 14d, 14e.

As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the rear portion 14a is formed with a cam portion (top portion) 14x.

As shown in Figure 4, the sliding lift 15 includes a front portion 15a, two side portions 15b, 15b, a top portion 15c, a bottom portion 15f, and recessed portions 15d, 15e.

As shown in Figures 4, 9, and 10, the elastic member 31 is composed of a (coil spring) spring (small diameter) 33 and a (coil spring) spring (large diameter) 32. The elastic member 31 is positioned between the slider 14 and the slide lift 15 within the housing of the support member 12. In other words, the elastic member 31 is elastically positioned between the slider 14 and the slide lift 15.

The elastic member 31 may consist of only the spring (small diameter) 33 or the spring (large diameter) 32, or may consist of a larger number of springs.

The shock absorber 27 is also inserted into the diameter of the spring (small diameter) 33 through the spacer 21. The shock absorber 27 has a flange 27a at one end and a protruding piston 27b at the other end.

As shown in Figures 2-4, 9, and 10, a pressure member 42 is provided on the front side of the sliding lift 15 to apply pressure. A pressure-bearing pin 17 is provided on the rear cam portion 14x of the sliding lift 14 to withstand the pressure. An elastic member 31 is interposed between the sliding lift 14 and the sliding lift 15, both of which are housed within the receiving space 12h of the support member 12, allowing them to slide.

As shown in Figure 6, the pressure-bearing pin 17 has a disc-shaped head portion 17a, a cylindrical portion 17b, and a front end portion 17d having a recessed portion 17c.

The diameter of the cylindrical portion 17b is the same as the diameter of the existing pressure-bearing pin.

As shown in Figure 7, the sleeve 28 includes an annular portion 28a, a cylindrical portion 28b, and a connecting portion 28d connecting the annular portion 28a and the cylindrical portion 28b. The sleeve 28 is axially divided and includes a radially retractable dividing portion 28c. The dividing portion 28c comprises a roughly triangular portion and a roughly rectangular portion. The roughly triangular portion has a large-area dividing portion and a small-area dividing portion, while the roughly rectangular portion is composed solely of the small-area dividing portion. The roughly triangular portion extends from the annular portion 28a to the connecting portion 28d, while the roughly rectangular portion extends from the connecting portion 28d to the cylindrical portion 28b. In Figure 7, the portion designated by reference numeral 28e is a chamfered corner.

Because the bushing 28 is axially split and features radially retractable segments 28c, the pressure-bearing pin 17 can be pushed into the bushing 28 for stable installation. This also ensures smooth rotation of the pressure-bearing pin 17, minimizing wear on the cam caused by repeated opening and closing.

The opening support device 10 of embodiment 1 of the present invention has bushings 28 disposed on the two side plates 11b, 11b of the bottom portion 11a (mounting base), which allows for smooth rotation of the pressure-bearing pin 17 itself.

As shown in Figure 4, the E-ring 29 has a plate-shaped portion 29a with a notch 29b. The E-ring 29 grips the recess 17c of the pressure-bearing pin 17, preventing it from falling out of the mounting hole 11f even if the pressure-bearing pin 17 rotates.

As shown in Figure 4, the stopper 24 comprises a plate-shaped portion 24a and a pair of side panels 24b, 24b. The plate-shaped portion 24a is provided with a plurality of holes 24c. The stopper 24 is mounted to the rear panel 11e of the mounting member 11 using small screws 26. The side panels 24b have cutouts 24d, 24e, and 24f on their upper edges, upper portions, and lower portions.

As shown in Figure 10, in the closed state, the upper side of the cam portion 14x of the rear surface portion 14a of the slider 14 abuts against the pressure-bearing pin 17, causing the pressure-bearing pin 17 to bear the pressure.

As shown in Figure 9, in the open state, the lower side of the cam portion 14x of the rear surface portion 14a of the slider 14 abuts against the pressure-bearing pin 17.

When the door body transitions from closed to open, the portion of cam 14x that contacts pressure-bearing pin 17 moves from the upper side to the lower side, causing pressure-bearing pin 17 to rotate. Because the pressure-bearing pin 17 is supported at both ends by bushings 28, it rotates with virtually no friction.

The door opening support device of the present invention secures space for the torque-generating section by eliminating the need for rollers and maintaining the diameter of the pressure-bearing pin. Furthermore, by rotating the pressure-bearing pin itself, it is expected to reduce wear on the cam caused by repeated door opening. Furthermore, office machines equipped with this door opening support device are also expected to achieve the aforementioned benefits.

10: Opening support mechanism 11: Mounting member 11a: Bottom panel 11e: Rear panel 12: Support member 12a: Top panel 12d: Protrusion 12e: Friction projection 13: Lifting member 14: Slider 14a: Rear panel 14x: Cam (top panel) 15: Sliding lifter 16: Main shaft 17: Pressure-bearing pin 2: Device body 21: Spacer 24: Stopper 25: Height adjustment screw 26: Small screw 27: Shock absorber 28: Bushing 3: Opening body (document clamp) 31: Elastic member 32: Spring (large diameter) 33: Spring (small diameter) 41: Lifting shaft 42: Pressurized member

Claims (3)

A door support device comprises: A mounting member mounted on a device body of an office machine; A support member rotatable on the mounting member via a main shaft bearing; A lifting member mounted on an door body, the lifting member overlapping the support member, the lifting member being rotatable on a free end of the support member via a lifting shaft bearing in a direction opposite to the rotation direction of the support member; A sliding member and a sliding lift member, the sliding member and the sliding lift member being slidably received within the support member; An elastic member resiliently disposed between the sliding member and the sliding lift member; and A pressure pin pressurizing a cam portion of the sliding member. The mounting member comprises a pair of side plates, each of which is provided with a mounting hole at a position opposite to each other. A bushing is mounted in each mounting hole. The pressure-bearing pin is mounted between the pair of side plates via the bushing bracket. The bushing is split axially and has a radially retractable split portion. As described in claim 1, the opening and closing support device, the liner has an annular portion, a cylindrical portion, and a connecting portion connecting the annular portion and the cylindrical portion, the dividing portion includes a roughly triangular portion and a roughly rectangular portion when viewed from above, the roughly triangular portion when viewed from above has a dividing portion with a large area and a dividing portion with a small area, the roughly rectangular portion when viewed from above is composed only of the dividing portion with a small area, the roughly triangular portion when viewed from above is arranged from the annular portion to the connecting portion, and the roughly rectangular portion when viewed from above is arranged from the connecting portion to the cylindrical portion. A business machine using the opening support device as described in claim 1.